Well, the problem is that KDE apps are using QT libraryes while GNOME apps are yousing the Gimp Tool Kit (GTK). Version 2 most of the times. Plus, there’s to say that the default KDE theme is really different from the default Human theme in Ubuntu. We’ll have to work a little on this but we’ll have really easy steps so don’t worry.
First, surely you use some KDE app, so, open one, for example Amarok or maybe K3B. Look at it and open a normal Gnome application, for example the theme selector. Now compare the 2 themes without any manipulation: they couldn’t be more different from each other. That way, the user has a really bad feeling using a KDE app in GNOME. In KDE it is simple to have a gnome app looking like a KDE one but it is not that simple in the viceversa case which is the one we’re gong to analyze now.
1) Installing Kcontrol
First of all we’ll need to install from synaptic or apt kcontrol. This application will let us change the KDE theme used by KDE applications. If you are Italian, I suggest you to install also kde-i18n-it which is the Italian translation for KDE.
2) Installing and choosing the right Themes
Now download from synaptic two themes: klearlook and polymer.
Press on you keyboard alt+F2 and run kcontrol. Under Appearance and Themes look for Style and change you KDE theme.
If you use the standard Human Ubuntu theme, then I suggest you to use Polymer. If you use clearlook (Standard Gnome Theme) then of course I suggest you to use Klearlook as your DKE Theme. Here are a pair of screenshots of how Plymer and Klearlook actually look.
3) Colors, Fonts, Icons…
Very well now, the form of all buttons and bars is now very similar to that of Ubuntu but colors… well, colors, fonts, icons…. they are still looking odd. With that very classic KDE style, bluish color… bluergh…! It really sucks into UBUNTU. So let’s make KDE colors and so on look good! To make things much easyer, you’ll need to download this package from kde-look.org.
Extract the file anywhere you like, run kcontrol (If it is not already running), move to “Appearance and Themes –> Theme Manager”, click on Install new Theme and browse for the folder where you extracted this package. A theme will be available. Install it and it will be listed in the Themes list as Ubuntu Human Cookie. Choose it and apply! Now move again to style and be sure that the style you previously selected has not changed.
Now move to Icons and choose Human in the Icons list. Apply.
As for the Fonts, move to the Fonts tab and activate the “Use anti-aliased fonts” button. If you wish, you can change fonts for KDE applications from here too. You’re done! Now everything really look nice in KDE Apps!
Awesome information you’ve got here. Much appreciated.
Pingback: QtCurve in GTK - openSUSE Forums
Recent KDE versions does not use kcontrol anymore.
Here’s how you fix the themes in Ubuntu (via terminal):
install systemsettings application:
$ sudo aptitude install systemsettings
there’s something wrong with the systemsettings version 4.3.2 and it does not work unless executed at least once by root. Let’s do that:
$ gksudo systemsettings
(nothing to do here, once the application opens, just close the application, hit CTRL+C to return to command line if kdeinit4 process keeps going instead of returning to command prompt)
now, configure your settings (execute systemsettings as yourself)
$ systemsettings
(select appearance and select Style, Widget Style: GTK+, hit Apply. close the system settings dialog.
Done.
Ubuntu 10.04 douse not have kcontrol command 🙁
$ gksudo systemsettings
Works for me!
Thanks to Mikko Rantalainen!